On the TUNNEYSIDE of SPORTS June 9, 2014 #492 Up next…Bulletin Board Stuff?
After further review…Shortly after the buzzer sounded in game six of the NBA Western Conference Finals, the “heat” was on. After eliminating the OKC Thunder, the San Antonio Spurs turned their attention to the championship series and the prospect of revenge against the Miami Heat. Before the first tip-off, the battle of words intensified.
“It’s unbelievable that we have regained focus after that devastating loss that we had last year, but we’re back and we’re excited about it. We’ve got four more to win. We’ll do it this time,” proclaimed veteran Spurs forward Tim Duncan, immediately after the game with sweat dripping by the quart. Doesn’t sound too obnoxious, does it? Seemed more like a self-confident player and a self-confident T*E*A*M announcing its intentions. (BTW, of all the NBA teams these two best exemplify the T*E*A*M rather than the “It’s-all-about-me” game.
Forward LeBron James, Duncan’s All-Pro counterpart on the Heat, took up the gauntlet with his response: “They don’t like us. They don’t. I can sense it from Timmy’s comments over the last couple days”. Timmy? Hmm. Sounds like a couple of kids on the playground. James was from St.Vincent-St.Mary’s Catholic High School in Akron, and Duncan formerly of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal High School of St.Croix, U.S. Virgin Island. The religious training was inconspicuous in their crossfire. Perhaps a better analysis of their comments might be: It’s just all hype.
Anyway, Duncan’s assertion seemed to be to spirit-on his teammates, which they did in game one winning by a score of 110-95. But did the Spurs have to resort to turning-off the air conditioning at the AT&T Center? (Note: Game two was played after this went to press).
While it is recognized that the media plays an important part in today’s pro sports market, it is hoped that this sort of “jawing” is not a part of our youth’s sports games. Teams win on the field and court, not in the press.
Will you watch sporting events to see which team performs better?
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